Anchor bolt placement protection assembly and method for aligning structural elements in a form when pouring concrete

ABSTRACT

An anchor bolt placement and protection assembly for positioning or setting a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete stem foundation or concrete slab in relation to spaced form boards for controlling the depth of the anchor bolt in the concrete and the protected length of the anchor bolt projecting above the concrete foundation or slab. The assembly includes a base plate carrying a fixed, elongated tubular member having a lumen with an inner diameter dimensioned to receive the selected anchor bolt. The tubular member is sized to abut a detached tubular having an inside diameter that is substantially equal to the fixed tubular member&#39;s inside diameter. The assembly also includes a fastener with an anchor bolt thread engaging lumen with an inside diameter that is substantially equal to said fixed tubular member&#39;s inside diameter.

This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to thefiling date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/335,656 entitled“Anchor Bolt Placement and Protection Device”, filed Dec. 31, 2002. Theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to concrete foundations and the foundationforms made of boards into which concrete is poured and more particularlyrelates to mud sill anchor bolts and structural hardware bolts imbeddedin the concrete. The present invention also relates to an anchor boltplacement and protection device adapted to be detachably mounted to thethreaded end of an anchor bolt to shield the threads and vertical shaftexposed after pouring, protecting the threads and shaft from beingcoated with concrete during the pour. This invention also relates toproperly positioning the anchor bolt in relation to the form boardsbetween which the concrete is poured.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

In conventional construction of homes and other buildings, it is wellknown to pour concrete between form boards for foundations set intotrenches accommodating the wooden forms which retain the concrete whileit hardens or cures. Conventional industry practice has been to place awooden spacer bar between the form boards at the bottom of the trenchand to nail a cleat across the top of the form boards to retain theproper spacing of the form boards while concrete is being poured intothe form. While it is expected that the bottom spacer bars will be ofappropriate length to retain the bottom edges of the form boards at theappropriate spacing in the trench bottom where they can be held in placeby the pressure of the dirt filled into the trench against the outsidesurfaces of the form, it has been discovered that the wooden cleatsnailed across the top edges of the form board provided unsatisfactoryresults. Often, the top edges of the form boards spread apart as theform is filled with concrete, and the spacing of the form boards isruined. This is caused by improper nailing of the top cleat. Often, oneend portion of the cleat must be nailed to the top edges of the formboard after which the workman needs to manipulate a measuring rulebetween the inner surfaces of the top edge portions of the form boardswhile placing a second nail through the cleat and into the remainingform board while attempting to retain the two form boards at theappropriate spacing. This procedure is expensive in terms of materialsand time since it often takes the workman a significant amount of timeto achieve proper spacing at the top edges of the form boards. Anotherdisadvantage of this method of spacing and retaining the upper edges ofthe form boards is that frequently workmen are paid for the number oflinear feed of forms they erect. Workmen paid in this manner aremotivated to work quickly rather than carefully and so contribute to theimproper spacing of the top edges of the form boards or improper nailingof the cleats. Another disadvantage is that during the concrete pour, asthe form is filled, the cleats are an obstruction to the agitation ofthe concrete. Concrete is agitated at this time to remove bubbles fromthe concrete. And the cleats obstruct the trowels used to “float” orsmooth the top of the concrete to provide a relatively smooth surfacefor the placement of the mud sill which must be anchored to the top ofthe foundation or concrete slab by the anchor bolts when set into theconcrete.

When anchoring the mud sill using anchor bolts, various systems havebeen utilized to support or align anchor bolts supported in relation tothe top edges of the form boards while concrete is being poured.Placement of these anchor bolts is critical but the position of theanchor bolt is often misjudged, thus increasing the difficulty of boringholes in the mud sill to receive the anchor bolts. In addition tomisplacement or irregular spacing between successive anchor bolts,another problem in the prior art system of setting anchor bolts is thatthe depth to which the anchor bolts are set is very often not uniform.Sometimes the anchor bolts are set so deeply that the threaded end ofthe anchor bolt does not project through the thickness of the mud sill,thereby providing no way to fix the position of the mud sill. Anotherproblem is that the threaded end of the anchor bolt may project too farabove the mud sill, requiring numerous washers to provide a surfaceproperly engaging the threaded portion of the anchor bolts so that a nutmay be threaded on to the anchor bolt to retain the mud sill, after itis placed over the anchor bolt.

Another problem is that during the pour, concrete may adhere to theanchor bolt and accumulate at the base of that portion of the anchorbolt shaft outer surface where the anchor bolt projects upwardly fromthe horizontal surface of the concrete. Once the concrete is cured, itis very difficult to remove this now hardened unwanted cement materialand if the mud sill is simply placed over an anchor bolt which includesthat accumulated material, the mud sill will not make uniform contactwith the surface of the foundation, thereby providing an uneven,non-level surface upon which carpenters must build the wall. Very oftenthis misaligned mud sill will cause misalignments in the wall and in thestructures which rest on the wall, and such misalignments can even beseen where walls meet roof members, and so problems associated withunwanted material adhering to the upwardly projected portion of theanchor bolt shaft can propagate through and create significant defectsin all of the structure that rests upon the mud sill.

There is a need, therefore, for an improved anchor bolt placement andprotection device and a method for installing anchor bolts and aligningform boards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide ananchor bolt protection and support assembly that cooperates with thethreaded end of the anchor bolt to properly position the anchor bolt andprotect the anchor bolt during the pour. Proper position provides aprecise spacing in relation to the inner surface of a form board andalso provides an appropriate depth for the length of the bolt and thethickness of the mud sill so that the mud sill (when placed over theanchor bolt) is properly oriented. It is another object of the presentinvention to protect the anchor bolt threads and the anchor bolt shaftfrom contamination by concrete during the pour, thereby avoiding anaccumulation of cement material at the intersection of the anchor boltwhere it projects above the surface of the pour concrete foundation.

Depending on the structure being constructed, foundation walls arefrequently dimensioned to receive two by four (1.5 inch by 3.5 inch) ortwo by six (1.5 inch by 5.5 inch) mud sills. Usually, the mud sill is ared wood beam or other structural lumber member that must be drilled orbored at appropriate intervals to receive the threaded ends of theanchor bolts projecting vertically from the top surface of thefoundation or concrete slab.

In accordance with the present invention, a protective placement devicedetachably envelopes and engages the exposed threaded end of the anchorbolt and includes at least one lateral projecting flange to index andaccurately space the anchor bolt from a selected (e.g., inside) surfaceof the form board, so that all the anchor bolts are uniformly spacedfrom a reference form board surface. Proper spacing of the anchor boltsfacilitates boring of the mud sill so that the holes in the mud sill areappropriately spaced to match the spacing between the anchor bolts andany structural hardware bolts.

In accordance with the present invention, a pre-manufactured orpre-molded device having a tubular extension projecting at asubstantially perpendicular angle upward from an indexing flange isslipped over the threaded end of an anchor bolt to a predetermined depthand provides a surface upon which one can rest one or more optionaltubular extension members dimensioned in selected lengths to provide adesired length of protected anchor bolt surface. Optionally, the deviceof the present invention can include a molded threaded nut memberincluding an interior lumen having a side wall defined with threadreceiving structural features so that the nut member, having an open orclosed distal end can be threaded over the anchor bolt after theselected number of protective tubular segments are placed over theupwardly projecting anchor bolt's distal threaded end.

In the preferred embodiment, the laterally projecting flange membersinclude printed indicia and through holes or bores adapted to receivenails at selected, marked intervals so that a workman can easily seewhere to place the flange member on the form board's selected referencesurface and simply insert the nails in the through holes where they areconveniently held in a vertical orientation so that they can be hammeredhome, thereby at least temporarily fixing the position of the flange onthe form.

Another embodiment includes an elongated flange having an upper surfacewith indicia used to measure form spread. The elongated flange is usefulwhen installing forms and selecting the spread or transverse spacing orwidth between interior form board surfaces, since the distances are, inthe preferred embodiment, included on the flange's upper surface.

The above and still further features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, particularly whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate likecomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of assembled elements of the anchor boltplacement and protection assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, in elevation, of the base plate of the anchorbolt placement and protection assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the anchor boltplacement and protection assembly base plate.

FIG. 5 shows a side view, in partial cross-section, of the base plate ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows, in partial cross-section, the anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly of the present invention including an anchor boltplaced in concrete, illustrating how the base plate can be nailed toform boards, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another alternative embodiment of the base plate of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the base plate of FIG. 7, in partialcross-section, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view, in perspective, showing an alternativeembodiment of the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the base plate for the anchor bolt placementand protection assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a top or plan view of an alternative embodiment of the baseplate.

FIG. 13 is a side view, in partial section, of the base plate of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is another alternative embodiment of the base plate, as seenfrom the top.

FIG. 15 is a side view, in partial section, of the base plate of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view, in partial section, showing the anchorbolt placement and protection assembly installed upon an anchor bolt andnailed to a form board in a concrete foundation, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the anchorbolt placement and protection assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the base plate of the anchor bolt placementand protection assembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembled anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side view, in partial section, of the anchor bolt placementand protection assembly of FIGS. 17-19 installed in a concrete or cementstructure bounded by form boards, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is perspective view of a form spreading base, in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan or top view of the form spreading base of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view, in elevation, showing in partial cross-sectionthe form spreading base of FIGS. 21 and 22 used in connection withalternate placements of form boards for pouring a concrete foundation orthe like, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Referring nowto FIGS. 1 and 2, anchor bolt placement and protection assembly 10includes a substantially planar base plate or flange 12 having an uppersurface 14 opposite a lower surface 16. In the illustrated embodiment, abase plate bolt aperture 18 is provided in the shape of a circle. Baseplate 12 also includes a plurality of nail-receiving apertures 20 eachincluding a raised collar portion dimensioned to receive and hold a nailplaced within the collar in preparation for having that nail driven intoa foundation form board or the like. The nail apertures 20 arepreferably spaced at even increments selected to appropriately positionbase plate 12 in relation to form boards during a pour (e.g., as seen inFIG. 6).

Base plate 12 also includes, on upper surface 14, a plurality ofsubstantially parallel spaced, transverse alignment indicia ribs 22which can be used as layout guides for foundation walls or the like.Base plate 12 is a substantially rectangular member having radiussedcorners, a length of approximately twelve inches, a width ofapproximately one and three quarters inches and a thickness ofapproximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made from fiberreinforced resin or polymer. The six transversely extending form boardposition indicating integral ribs 22 are provided on the top surface 14of each of two integral elongated base plate portions and are spacedalong the long axis of base plate 12 at about one inch apart. Thefourteen nail-receiving apertures 20 are formed in transversely alignedpairs in the plate portions and are also spaced along the long axis ofbase plate 12 at about one inch apart, center to center.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, base plate 12 carries a substantiallyperpendicular upwardly projecting fixed tubular member 30 having an opendistal end defining a sealing surface with a substantially flat orplanar edge adapted to seal against, a butt or receive a similar flangesealing surface on either an optional movable tubular member 64 or athreaded nut 68. Fixed tubular member 30 has an elongate central access26 and defines an interior lumen 36 terminating proximally in base plateand coaxially with circular base plate aperture 18. Tubular memberproximal end 34 is rigidly fixed to or is an integral part of base plate12 and is supported by a plurality of ribs or web segments, 44, 46 whichreinforce and support fixed tubular member 30. Tubular member lumen 36has a selected inside diameter 37 adapted too closely encircle, protectand support a selected anchor bolt size (e.g., sized to fit one halfinch O.D. bolts or five eighth inch O.D. bolts). Tubular member interiorwall 38 defines, preferably, a circular lumen 37 and the tubular memberexterior wall 40 is adapted to deflect debris, poured cement and othermaterials, protecting an anchor bolt when the anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly 10 is in use.

As noted above, longitudinal reinforcing web or rib 44 extends along atleast part of the central axis of base plate 12 and is arrayed at,preferably, a 90° angle to transverse reinforcing webs 46 which arealigned transversely to the central axis of base plate 12, therebyproviding optimal reinforcement or support to upwardly projecting fixedtubular member 30.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theanchor bolt placement and protection assembly 12 preferably is packagedas a kit including one and possibly more extension sleeves 50, 64defined in selected lengths to permit the installer or user topre-select the amount of anchor bolt shaft to extend above the concretefoundations upper surface. An extension sleeve (e.g., 50 or 64) can alsobe used alone or in combination to determine the anchor bolt depthprojecting into the concrete material.

Extension sleeve 50 preferably includes a substantially tubular orcylindrical side wall segment having a distal end 52 defining a sealingsurface opposite a proximal end 54 carrying a sealing flange dimensionedto closely fit upon and sealably engage the sealing surface (e.g., oftubular member 32 or of another extension sleeve). Extension sleeve 50defines an interior lumen 56 which is preferably symmetrical around acentral axis and constrained by extension sleeve interior wall 58.Extension sleeve exterior wall 60 includes, preferably, radially arrayedreinforcing ribs 62 providing mechanical support and stiffing to theprotective extension sleeve. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, secondextension sleeve 64 is shown in a second, longer axial length (e.g.,three and one half inches) than first extension sleeve 50 (at, e.g., oneand three quarter inches) and can be used alone or combination withother extension sleeves (e.g., 50) to provide an anchor bolt placementand protection assembly 10 having a number of different possibleconfigurations.

The components of assembly 10 which come into contact with the anchorbolt, as best seen in FIGS. 6, 16 and 20, each have a proximal flangewith a transverse sealing surface bounded by a peripheral barrier wallsegment that effectively deflects any material falling from above awayfrom the sealing surface. Each tube-like component also has a distalsealing surface adapted to engage and abut the proximal sealing surfaceof the mating component, and the distal sealing surface and distal endare sized to fit within and be protected by the mating component'sproximal end peripheral barrier wall. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6,tubular member distal end has a sealing surface 32 that fits within andis protected by the proximal end and sealing flange 72 of threaded nut68.

In the preferred embodiment, a threaded nut 68 includes an open orclosed distal end 70 and proximal end with sealing flange 72 is adaptedto rest upon and sealably engage a distal end sealing surface of themating component (e.g., the extension sleeve distal surface 52 or fixedtubular member distal surface 32). Threaded nut 74 includes and interiorlumen 74 within an interior wall having thread engaging structuralelements, such as threads. Threaded nut 68 also includes a substantiallycylindrical exterior wall preferably including a plurality of radiallyarrayed reinforcing ribs aligned along the axis of threaded nut 68.Threaded nut 68 also preferably includes raised projections 80 adaptedto receive and engage tool surfaces such as wrench jaws, pliers of thelike for use when installing or removing threaded nut 68 on the anchorbolt distal end.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a concrete foundationform 100 includes a first elongate form board 110 aligned, preferably,in parallel with a second elongate form board 112. The form boards arespaced apart to define an interior volume adapted to receive concrete,mud or cement 114 which is poured in and which, once cured, provides,preferably, a relatively level and uniform concrete upper surface 116.Advantageously, the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of thepresent invention protects the entire extent of the anchor boltprojecting up from the foundation, and so no splashed cement or othermaterial is accumulated on the anchor bolt shaft above the upper surfaceof the concrete, and so no time consuming cleaning is required. Thiswill ensure that when the pre-drilled mud sill plate is placed over theanchor bolts upon the foundations, the mud sill plate will lie flat uponand flush with the foundation's upper surface, providing a more levelsurface to build upon.

In use, the builder or user selects the appropriate indicia to align thebase plate and selected nail holes over the form boards. Then aplurality of nails 118 are driven through the base plate nail apertures(e.g., 20) and into the form board, thereby fixing the position of theanchor bolt placement and protection assembly and the anchor bolt 120secured therein. Anchor bolt 120 has its distal, threaded end 122securely held within and protected by threaded nut 68 and fixed tubularmember 30 so that the mud or concrete material cannot splash upon oradhere to the exterior surface of anchor bolt shaft 126. Use of anchorbolt placement and protection assembly 10 permits the user or form makerto carefully control the depth of the anchor bolts proximal end 124within the concrete foundation 114.

Optionally, one or more extension sleeves (e.g. 50, 64) could be used toraise the level of anchor bolt 120 so that a greater length of anchorbolt shaft 126 is supported above the upper surface 116 of the concrete.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the anchor boltplacement and protection assembly 140 includes a substantially planarelongated base plate 142 from which projects a perpendicular tubularmember 144. Base plate 142 is preferably configured as a rectangularmember having a plurality of transverse thru-bores or aperturesincluding a plurality of nail receiving apertures aligned with aplurality of alignment indicia or centering guide indicators. Alongitudinal reinforcing web or rib 146 preferably supports fixedtubular member 144 which is also supported by a plurality of reinforcingribs 148 that extend vertically along the length of tubular member 144.Tubular member 144 preferably has a selected diameter 150 which isslightly larger than and closely fits with a selected size of anchorbolt shaft.

Base plate 142 is a substantially rectangular member having radiussedcorners, a length of approximately twelve inches, a width ofapproximately one and three sixteenth inches and a thickness ofapproximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made from fiberreinforced resin or polymer. The six transversely extending form boardposition indicating integral ribs are provided on the top surface ofeach of two integral elongated base plate portions and are spaced alongthe long axis of base plate 142 at, preferably, one inch apart. Thetwelve nail-receiving apertures are formed in transversely aligned pairsin the plate portions and are also spaced along the long axis of baseplate 142 at about one inch apart, center to center.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a third embodiment of the anchor bolt placementand protection assembly 160 including a substantially planar base plate162 from which projects a substantially perpendicular cylindricaltubular member adapted to receive and sealably engage with one or moreextension sleeves (e.g. 166, 170) or, optionally, a threaded nut 168 allof which have a selected inside diameter adapted to receive and protectan anchor bolt shaft of selected size. When configured as shown in FIG.10, extension sleeve 166 has a proximal or lower flange area whichsealably engages the distal sealing surface 164 of tubular member 164 toseal out debris, cement and other material which may otherwisecontaminate the outer surface of the anchor bolt shaft. Similarly,threaded nut 168 includes a proximal flange adapted to bear against andsealably engage the distal end of extension sleeve 166. As shown in FIG.11, the tubular member inside diameter 172 is dimensioned to accommodatea selected size (e.g., ½″) anchor bolt shaft.

Base plate 162 is a substantially rectangular member having radiussedcorners, a length of approximately four and one half inches, a width ofapproximately one and three quarters inches and a thickness ofapproximately three sixteenths of an inch, when made from fiberreinforced resin or polymer. The two transversely extending form boardposition indicating integral ribs are provided on the top surface of theelongated base plate portion and are spaced along the long axis of baseplate 162 at one inch apart. The four nail-receiving apertures areformed in transversely aligned pairs in the plate portions and are alsospaced along the long axis of base plate 162 at one inch apart, centerto center.

As noted above, anchor bolts of different sizes can be accommodated, andeach assembly is preferably color coded by anchor bolt size. In anexemplary embodiment, ½ inch bolts are accommodated using assemblycomponents molded from bright orange polymer or fiber reinforced moldedresin material, ⅝ inch bolts are accommodated using assembly componentsmolded from bright blue polymer or fiber reinforced molded resinmaterial, and ⅞ inch bolts are accommodated using assembly componentsmolded from bright green polymer or fiber reinforced molded resinmaterial.

FIGS. 12-23 show additional optional elements included as part of thekit for use with the anchor bolt placement and protection assembly ofthe present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 12 and 13 show a fourthembodiment of the base plate 176 including an upwardly projectingtubular member having an interior lumen with a selected inside diameter(e.g. ½ inch) adapted for receiving a selected anchor bolt. This tubularmember includes a distal sealing surface adapted for engaging thesealing proximal end of an extension tube or threaded nut, as above.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the base plate 184including an upwardly projecting reinforced tubular member 186 having alarger lumen with an inside diameter of, for example, ⅞ of an inch, andso is adapted for receiving an anchor bolt of that size. Base plate 184also includes a distal sealing surface at the upper edge of tubularmember 186 adapted to receive and engage a proximal sealing surface andflange for a similarly sized extension or threaded nut.

FIG. 16 shows, in partial cross-section, an anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly 160 installed upon and threadably engaged with ananchor bolt 120 of, for example, ⅝ inch diameter. Base plate 162 isfirst positioned in an appropriate orientation on form board 112 toproperly locate anchor bolt 120 within the confines of the form, beforeconcrete is poured. The distal end of the anchor bolt 124 is set at thepreselected depth by inclusion of, optionally, one or more extensionsleeves (e.g., 50, not shown). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16,no extension sleeves are used. The installer or builder can then proceedto fill the form with cement until the upper surface of the cement 116rises to the level indicated by the bottom surface of base plate 160,whereupon the cement is allowed to cure, all without staining orsplashing upon the anchor bolt shaft 126 or contaminating the anchorbolt threads.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the anchor bolt placementand protection assembly of the present invention where a substantiallyplanar L-shaped base plate 210 includes an upper surface carrying raisedguide lines or alignment indicia 211. An upwardly projecting tubularmember 212 has an open distal end 214 with a sealing distal surface, asabove. Optionally, one or more extension sleeves 216, 220 may be used tocustomize the length of the anchor bolt shaft to be protected and setthe depth of the distal end of the anchor bolt in the foundation. Onceinstalled on the anchor bolt, a threaded nut 218 is threadably engagedon the distal end of the anchor bolt. The lumen within tubular member212 has a selected inside diameter 222 which, in the illustratedembodiment, is one-half inch.

As best seen in FIG. 20, the anchor bolt placement and protectionassembly 200 is well suited for use when concrete is poured into a formand then anchor bolts are placed in the yet uncured concrete. The baseplate 210 rests upon the upper surface of the concrete 116 therebysetting the depth of the anchor bolt in the concrete. This anchor boltplacement and protection assembly 200 can therefore be used to placeanchor bolts anywhere in the foundation, after the concrete has beenpoured within form 100.

Preferably, the kit including the above-identified components includesone or more optional form spreading bases 230 including a substantiallyplanar base formed as an elongated rectangular body having an uppersurface 232 opposite a lower surface and a number of nail receivingapertures or through bores 234 are defined in selected location,preferably next to base alignment indicia 236 which provide transverseraised segments that are easily perceived by the carpenter in the field.

Preferably, base spacing indicia 238 (e.g. six inches or eight inches)are also provided to permit the user to select an appropriate spacingfor form boards. Form spreading base 230 is preferably reinforced with alongitudinal reinforcing rib 240 and is fabricated from fiber reinforcedresin or a polymer material, optionally provided in selected colors(e.g. orange).

In use, builders and concrete contractors can employ the foundation boltinstallation system 10 in a manner which permits savings of labor, timeand money. Advantageously, the components shown in the figures can beprovided in kits having a variety of spreaders, guides and nailers topermit a quick and easy selection of the appropriate component in avariety of construction situations. For example, a kit including the aplurality of the components shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, referred to asa Bolt-Rite Stabber™ kit, permits quick and accurate insertion of anchorbolts into wet concrete. The integral or built-in centering guideindicia permit quick setting of anchor bolts to a correct depth andposition for either 2×4 or 2×6 sill plates. The protective threadedcover cap 218 completely covers and protects bolt threads from damageand concrete splash. The entire assembly is easily removed when concreteis cured by unthreading the cover cap 218, removing it from the distalend of the anchor bolt 122 and sliding the protective assembly up andoff of the bolt. In a preferred embodiment, the guide of FIGS. 17, 18and 19 are configured for use with ½″ O.D. bolts, but other size boltscan easily be accommodated. The optional use of sleeves of selectedlength permit the installer to select the desired components from theassembly kit and install the guide, removable sleeve and threaded nut tocontrol both the amount of the anchor bolt to be said into the wetconcrete, and the amount of the side-wall or shaft of the bolt toproject above the concrete's upper surface, once the concrete is cured.

The kit can also include one or more Bolt-Rite Nailer™ assemblies usingbase plate 176 as shown in FIGS. 12-16. This allows layout of all anchorbolts, nailed securely in the correct position before pouring concrete.This is especially helpful in that it allows anchor bolts to be in placebefore or after pouring in fast-curing climates. Use of the assemblyshown in FIGS. 12-16 eliminates the need for concrete drilling orepoxy-ing to fix forgotten or mispositioned anchor bolts. Built-inguides or indicia on the upper portion of the flanged base plate allowusers or installers to quickly set anchor bolts to the correct depth andthen position those bolts in relation to either of the 2×4 or 2×6 sillplates.

The protective assembly of FIG. 16 is easily removed when concrete iscured by unthreading the cover cap or threaded nut 168 from the distalend of the anchor bolt 122, and then removing the nails 118 attachingthe flange or base plate 162 to the form board (e.g., 112), whereuponthe entire assembly 160 can be slideably removed from the distal end ofthe bolt 122.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the Bolt-Rite w/Spreader™ assembly permitsinstallers to set the anchor bolts and spread forms in one costeffective operation. As above, the protective threaded cap is easilyremoved after concrete is cured and each of the components is easilyremoved from the bolt. This also provides protection from concretesplash omitting the need to clean the sidewall or shaft of the boltafter the concrete is cured.

In the preferred embodiment, a spreader 230 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22is included as part of a kit with the protective assemblies discussedabove. This includes ready to use pre-positioned nail holes 234 andprovides a rigid form spreading layout guide for, in the preferredembodiment, 6″ or 8″ wide foundations. When the spreader of FIGS. 21 and22 is used in conjunction with the other elements in a kit, users canavoid wasting time measuring and cutting expensive stakes to make formspreaders. With predrilled nail holes 234 and layout marks or guideindicia 236, the form spreading or form construction operation iscompleted more quickly. The narrow profile of the spreader member ofFIGS. 21 and 22 eases the trowelling process when finishing the pouredfoundation's surface. In the preferred embodiment, all of the assemblyand kit components discussed above are molded from polymer, possiblyreinforced with fibrous material and are finished or molded-in highvisibility colors such as orange, blue or green to help installersquickly identify overlooked areas in the form construction process.

The anchor bolt protection and placement assembly and kit elements ofthe present invention permit users to set perfect anchor bolts 120 infoundations, keeping the anchor bolt surfaces clean, straight andcorrectly positioned in a repeatable and easily learned method. Theapparatus of the present invention permits easy compliance with code(UBC) requirements specifying that all embedments are to be in placeprior to pouring the concrete for a foundation. This preventslast-minute hurried efforts to pound bolts into hardening concrete andpermits builders to easily recover the invention's purchase cost inrelatively few applications, since hours otherwise spent cleaning boltthreads are conserved. The anchor bolt placement and protection assemblycomponents are molded with integral reinforcing ribs, so the componentswill remain rigid and provide a rugged service to prevent deflection ofthe bolts when concrete is poured, thereby keeping anchor boltsstraight. Each component of each assembly is also reusable, therebyproviding more economical use and ease of amortization.

Variations on the foregoing dimensions can be used to conform tostandards and practices in other regions. For example, the transverselyextending form board position indicating integral ribs 22 provided onthe top surface 14 of each of two integral elongated base plate portionscan be spaced along the long axis of base plate 12 at another desiredspacing, e.g., a selected number of centimeters. The nail-receivingapertures 20 formed in the plate portions can also be spaced at anotherdesired spacing, e.g., two centimeters, center to center.

Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved method, itis believed that other modifications, variations and changes will besuggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forthherein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations,modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An anchor bolt placement and protection assembly for positioning orsetting a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete stem foundation or concreteslab in relation to at least one of two spaced form boards defining atleast one surface of said concrete stem foundation or concrete slab andfor controlling the depth of the anchor bolt in the concrete and theprotected length of the anchor bolt projecting above the concretefoundation or slab, comprising: a) a fixed, elongated tubular memberhaving a central axis and a distal end, an open proximal end symmetricalabout said central axis, a lumen with a predetermined inner diameterdimensioned to encompass the outer diameter of a selected anchor boltand a depth between said distal end and said open proximal endcorrelated to the protected length of said anchor bolt's shaft that isto project above said concrete stem foundation or concrete slab; b) abase plate having an aperture defining the open proximal end of saidelongated tubular member and at least one integral elongated reinforcingrib extending laterally from said tubular member, said base plate havinga top surface opposing a bottom surface and a first end edge spaced apredetermined distance from said tubular member's central axis; c) adetached tubular member having a cylindrical side wall of selected axiallength defining a lumen with an open distal end opposite an openproximal end, said lumen having an inside diameter that is substantiallyequal to said fixed tubular member's inside diameter; and d) a fastenerhaving a cylindrical side wall of selected axial length defining athread engaging lumen with an open proximal end, said lumen having aninside diameter that is substantially equal to said fixed tubularmember's inside diameter.
 2. The anchor bolt placement and protectionassembly according to claim 1, wherein said base plate and said fixedtubular member are integrally formed as a one-piece unit.
 3. The anchorbolt placement and protection device according to claim 1, wherein saidbase plate and fixed tubular member are integrally formed as a unitarybody fabricated from synthetic resinous material.
 4. The anchor boltplacement and protection assembly of claim 1, wherein said base platecircumscribes said tubular member's central axis, and at least oneintegral elongated plate portion extends perpendicularly from saidelongated tubular member.
 5. An anchor bolt placement and protectionassembly for positioning a threaded anchor bolt in a concrete foundationor concrete slab in relation to at least one of two spaced form boardsthat define at least one surface of said foundation or slab and forcontrolling the length of the anchor bolt projecting above thefoundation or slab or controlling the depth of the bolt in thefoundation or slab, comprising: a) a substantially planar base platehaving a bottom surface opposing an upper surface bearing alignmentindicia; wherein said base plate includes a plurality of apertures eachdimensioned to receive and support a nail; b) said base plate carrying afixed elongated tubular member having a central axis and an upperterminal end, an open lower end symmetrical about said central axis, apredetermined inner peripheral diameter dimensioned to encompass thediameter of a selected anchor bolt and a depth between said terminal endand said open lower end correlated to the length of said anchor boltthat is to project above said concrete stem foundation or concrete slab;and c) a detached tubular member adapted to be coaxially aligned withsaid fixed tubular member and dimensioned to receive the anchor boltwhen the bolt is inserted within said fixed tubular member and saidcoaxially aligned detached tubular member to allow a selected length ofthe anchor bolt to project above the plane of the base plate's uppersurface.
 6. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim5, wherein said base plate has at least one integral elongated plateportion extending laterally from said tubular member and including anend edge spaced a predetermined distance from said central axis.
 7. Theanchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 6, whereinintegral reinforcement ribs are spaced about the outer periphery of saidfixed elongated tubular member at 90 intervals and extend from said baseplate upper surface to adjacent said upper terminal end of said fixedelongated tubular member.
 8. The anchor bolt placement and protectionassembly of claim 7, wherein said base plate and fixed tubular memberare integrally formed as a unitary body fabricated from syntheticresinous material.
 9. The anchor bolt placement and protection assemblyof claim 8, wherein said base plate comprises a substantiallyrectangular member having a length of at least four and one half inches.10. The anchor bolt placement and protection assembly of claim 8,wherein said base plate comprises a substantially rectangular memberhaving a length of approximately twelve half inches.
 11. The anchor boltplacement and protection assembly of claim 8, wherein said base plateincludes an integral elongated reinforcement rib is provided medianly ofan elongated plate portion extending from adjacent said edge thereof tosaid elongated tubular member.
 12. The anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly of claim 8, wherein said base plate includes aplurality of integral elongated reinforcement ribs spaced at 90intervals about said tubular member.
 13. The anchor bolt placement andprotection assembly of claim 8, wherein a plurality of transverselyextending form board position indicating integral ribs are provided onthe top surface of said base plate, said form board position indicatingribs being spaced about one inch apart.
 14. The anchor bolt placementand protection assembly of claim 8, wherein a plurality of transverselyextending form board position indicating integral ribs are provided onthe top surface of said base plate, said indicating ribs being evenlyspaced and said nail receiving apertures being spaced about one inchapart.
 15. An anchor bolt placement assembly comprising: a) an elongatedanchor bolt having an elongated main body portion symmetrical about alongitudinal axis, said anchor bolt having threads at said bolt's distalend portion and a transversely extending abutment portion at said bolt'sproximal end portion; b) an anchor bolt placement and protection deviceincluding a fixed elongated tubular member symmetrical about a centrallongitudinal axis and having an open distal end and an open proximal endintegral with a base plate including at least two integral laterallyextending elongated plate portions each having top and bottom surfacesand an end edge spaced a predetermined distance from and extending inopposite directions from said central axis; c) at least one detachedtubular member adapted to abut the distal end of said fixed tubularmember; d) elongated form boards spaced apart to define a space to befilled with concrete and including parallel top edges coincident withthe top surface of concrete filling said space; and e) wherein saiddistal end portion of said anchor bolt is surrounded by said tubularextension sleeve and said fixed elongated tubular member of said anchorbolt placement and protection device and said proximal end portion ofsaid anchor bolt is thrust into said body of concrete filling said spacebetween said form boards until the bottom surface of said elongatedplate portion of said base plate rests on the surface of said concreteuntil the concrete hardens whereupon said anchor bolt placement andprotection device is removed from said anchor bolt.
 16. The anchor boltplacement assembly of claim 15, wherein said detached tubular membercomprises an extension sleeve.
 17. The anchor bolt placement assembly ofclaim 15, wherein said detached tubular member comprises a threaded nutfastener adapted to threadably engage said anchor bolt's distal threads.18. The anchor bolt placement assembly of claim 15, wherein the edge ofat least one laterally extending elongated plate portion overlaps saidtop edge of one of said form boards.
 19. The anchor bolt placementassembly of claim 18, wherein the end portion of said elongated plateportion that overlaps the top edge of said form board is detachablysecured to the top edge of said form board.
 20. The anchor boltplacement assembly of claim 18, wherein each said integral elongatedplate portion overlaps and extends past said top edge of an associatedform board, and further including means detachably securing the distalend portions of each of said two elongated plate portions to anunderlying form board.